§ 31-141.36. Landscape requirements.

From and after the effective date of this division, all new construction will be recommended to use xeriscape. Attached is exhibit A, "approved low water plant list for Laredo" which lists all plants, shrubs, vines, groundcovers, perennials, ornamental grasses, trees, and turf grasses suitable for Laredo and is available through the water conservation program.

In addition to using xeriscape and the approved low water plant list for Laredo, the following requirements must be met:

(1)

Requirements for homebuilders and developers: Those subdividing lots and/or constructing new single-family residential homes, apartment buildings, commercial buildings, churches, cemeteries, or industrial parks shall recommend xeriscape options to prospective buyers.

(2)

Requirements for general contractors: Those constructing new public facilities shall recommend xeriscape options.

(3)

Requirements for turf grass use: New residential sites and new businesses that incorporate turf grass in their landscaping shall only use approved grasses with summer dormancy capabilities as listed on the low water plant list for Laredo. New residential sites shall use turf grass in the total landscaped area. New commercial, governmental, or public sites shall not exceed thirty (30) percent turf grass of the total landscaped area. Turf grasses are prohibited in parkways, narrow strips of land, medians, sloped areas (except for erosion control), and in entrances within new residential or commercial sites, applicable to construction begun after effective date of this division.

(4)

Requirements for new public facilities: It is recommended that all new public schools, municipal, county, state and federal government buildings, and public libraries be designed with xeriscape.

(5)

Recommendation for existing public facilities: It is strongly recommended that all landscaping on existing public schools, municipal, county, state, and federal buildings, including public libraries and public parks, be converted to xeriscape within ten (10) years from the effective date of this division.

( Ord. No. 2014-O-048, §1(Exh. A), 4-21-14 )